Car construction



May 12, 1931.

H. s. HART ET AL CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 12,1931. H. s. HART ET AL 1,804,769

1 CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. s. HART ET AL 4,769

May 12, 1931.

CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ql Q Q Q Q Q Q a V kg Q Q Q q g W ,7

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Patented May 12, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HARRY S. HART AND DAVID HINDAEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS] CAB CONSTRUCTION I Application filed August 10, 1929. Serial No. 384,965.

An object of this invention is to provide a car constructlon wh1ch has a maxlmum ca-\ pacity for its ,dimensions, and is of such character that it has-great resistance to wear and deterioration occasioned by use.

Another object is to rovide a car construction which is highly etfi zient in operation, and

16. simple both in design and mannerof assembly, and is one, the maintenance of which-is economical, as the partslikely to wearare relatively cheap and easy to replace, where asthe more expensive and less accessible parts are constructed and arranged so as to resist and be spared destructive and wear. a

The present invention is illustrated as applied to a hopper car, and accordingly, it is another'object of this invention when so applied, to provide for certain novel features of construction, such as construction of the car side frame, bolster, and other parts which make for greater improvement in cars 30 of this character.

It is a further object to provide a car in which the side frame of the body is formed of a single integral casting, preferably of steel, and also onein which the centersill and body bolsters are likewise formed as a single integral casting.

A still further object is to provide a car embodying the above enumerated advantages in which there are relatively few parts all m of simple construction, whereby the assembling operation is greatly facilitated, with consequent saving of time and ex ense.

Various other objects not specifically enumerated'are contemplated by this invention,

and these will readily a pear to one skilled in the art as the followlng description proceeds.

Although the invention is' disclosed as embodied in a hopper car, the invention is intended to extend to any and all cars in which detrimental the im rovements herein set forth will make for a vantage.

The present disclosure is given by way of illustration and is not to be construed as limiting the invention in any particular.

1 The nature of the invention ma be determined from an understanding 0 the illus- V trated form and an appreciation of the adyantages which the invention produces there- The following description of the disclosed embodiment of the invention will be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one- 65 half of'a hopper car constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure-1 and looking in the direction of the arrows Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the center sill taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the center sill taken on the line 4=4 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figurefi is a fragmentary view in perspective, partly broken away and partly in crosS- section, disclosing the construction of thecar shown in Figure 1.

By referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the invention is disclosed as em,- bodied, in a hopper car, the under-frame of 35 which is adapted to be carried on any suitable type of truck, not shown, but the location of which is dia rammatically represented by the outline of t e car wheels 9.

The under-frame, which is herein designated in its entirety as 10, comprises a center sill-11, havin end portions 12, and anintermediate portion 13. Thetruck bolster 14 is formed as an. integral part 'of the center sill and extends transversely at the end portions thereof, from opposite sides of? the end portions 12. v 4

It is to be understood that the description herein given of the car will be merely of one end thereof but this will. serve for the entire portion 12 of the center sill, and having anon,,which is ada car, as the construction is duplicated, although reversed in position, on opposite sides of the center.

It will be noted that the end portions 12 of the center sill are integrally formed and are like an inverted U in shape, and have laterally extending flanges 15 projecting from the bottom edges thereof. In the end an opening 16 is provided, adapted to receive the shan of a coupler, all in the usual manner. It is to be understood that the usual draft gear is adapted to be positioned in and contained within the walls of the end'portion 12 of the center sill. A

At the proper locations, the body bolster 14 is provided, having an upper surface lying in the same plane as the upper surface of the under surface which tapers upwardly in a manner to provide the ends of the body bolster of relatively shallow depth. If desired, flanges 16 may be provided on the body bolster, extending outwardly from the flanges 15 of the center sill.

As may more readily be observed from Figure 5, the end portion of the center sill extends in toward the center of the car to that point where the sloping end floor of the hopper car intersects the center sill, and at this portion a flange 17 is provided thered to be secured to and support the lower end of the slopping end floor.

Between the flanges 17 occurring at opposite ends of the car, the portion 13 of the center sill extends, which is angular in shape, having the slopping walls, as shown in Figure 5. This portion of the center sill extendsthrouigh the space of the car constituting the hoppers, and the S10 ing walls thereof con-- stitute shedding sur aces for deflecting the lading of the car to opposite sides thereof, whereby to prevent the accumulation of the lading thereon.

On the inside of the angular portion 13 of the center sill, inwardly projecting flanges 18 are provided as stren hening or reinforcing means, and the relationship ofthe various portions constituting the center sill is preferably provided as indicated in Figures 3 and 4. Cross webs 18' are also provided to reinforce this portion of the sill. From the figures it wilLbe noted that the flanges 18 are positioned in a manner to constitute continuations of the flanges 15, previously described, on the portions 12 of the center sills; and, further that the angular portion 13 extends somewhat below the bottom of the portions 12.

Positioned in spaced relation on top of the angular portion 13 of the center sill, upstanding brackets 19 are provided with suit able rivet holes for atachment to the transverse braces 20, extending across the middle portion of the car. These braces are provided withangularly cut ends' 21, which are socured to the integrally formed side frame, all

in the manner hereinafter described.

tion 24, on the outside of the channel members 23 after they are put in place. This step, as will hereinafter appear, constitutes a surface on which the integrally formed side frame is supported.

From the corners of the car, such as from the joint between the end channel 22 and side channels 23, upwardly extending corner stakes 25 are provided, riveted or otherwise suitably secured, with its upper end secured to the upper end of the integrally formed side frame.

Referring now to the construction of the side frame, reference is here made to the applicants co-pending application Serial Number 346,559, filed March 13, 1929, for improvements in car construction. In this copending application, certain advantages are pointed out for side frames having side stakes of certain special formation and constructed of non-corrosive steel, and as to these advantages the present invention aims to embody all of them, with certain additional advantages flowing from the constriiction of the entire side frame as an integral piece. Consequently, insofar as the formation of each particular side stake is concerned in the integral side frame hereinafter described, it may be considered that the constructions are similar to those described in said co-pending flanges and rivet holes necessary for securing independent parts will be eliminated from the present construction.

Referring now to the construction of the side frame it will be noted that it comprises an upper chord 26, and also a lower chord 27, and a (plurality of side stakes 28. It is further provi ed with the angular extending support 29 extending to the end piece 30, which o1ns this support with the end of the upper chord. ,The vertical stake 31 differs from the remaining stakes and is preferably of special construction for the purpose of accommodating a ladder, which is located at the end of side frame are preferably of I-beam construc diagonal sheets may be integral-with the side tion in cross-section, with its widest flange externally disposed and provided with rivet holes for attachment of the side sheets. The bottom chord member 27 preferably comprises the vertical flange 34 and the diagonal ange 35 having a reinforcing horizontally disposed flange 36. The formation of these parts is clearly shown in Figure 5.

The outer flanges 37 of the side stakes near their-top portions extend inwardly as at 38 and gradually merge with the inner flange 39 on the vertical flange 33 of the upper chord. These diagonal flanges 38 serve to support the upper portions of the side sheets which extend diagonally inwardly to serve as shedding surfaces for the purpose hereinafter described. From an inspection of Figure 5, it will be noted that the angular cut ends of the cross braces 21 extend to a position adjacent the bottom chord 27, and are disposed throughout the length of the car in alignment with those side stakes disposed throughout the center of the car. The ends of these horizontal braces are secured to angle brackets 40, which are diagonally disposed and extend upwardly, and are'anchored to the diagonal flange 35 of the bottom chord 27. These angle brackets are also provided with horizontal flanges 41, which serve as a means for securing the sheet 42 which constitutes an extension of the diagonal flange 35, and to- 1 gether therewith a shedding surface or slope sheet for the hoppers.

For the purpose of bracing the construction, webs 43 are provided, as shown in Figure 5, extending from the side stakes to the flan es 37 of the stakes,

cross-braces 21. On the side stakes which receive the webs 43, one side of the inner flange 39 may be cut away so as to .receive these webs. This will make the cross-sectionalshape of the central stakes of L crosssection;

It will be readily understood from the above description, that the side sheets 44 which extend vertically may be readily attached by any means, such as rivets 45, to the and the flange 34 of the lower chord.

It is to be further understood that these side sheets may be formed as small independent pieces extending between the various stakes,- or as one continuous sheet extending from one end of the car to the other. In

- addition to the vertical portions, the angularly disposed portions 46 of the side sheets are secured to the diagonally extending flanges 38, also secured by any suitable means, such as the rivets 45.

In the present illustration, the side sheets 46 are disclosed as being of separate and independent pieces attached by means of rivets 47 to the upper edge, or edges, of the side sheets 44, but it is to be understood that these sheets 44 and formed by providing suitable cut-outs to accommodate the external portions of the stakes, and mounted by bending along a line corresponding to the seam. The end side sheet 44, which is of small generally triangular shape, may be an independent sheet, or an integral extension on the next adjacent side sheet portion.

The side sheet 44a is preferably an'independent piece, which is secured to the flanges 48 and 49 of the frame parts lying adjacent thereto. These flanges it will be noted lie in the inner plane of the frame, all in a mannerto provide a space on the side of the car for the purpose of accommodating a ladder.

The upper ends of the corner stakes 25 extend up and are secured to the end portion 30 of the side frame. This portion, it will be is supported on the step or shelf 24 of the body 7 bolster, and it rests thereon by means of the leg or foot 56, which is formed as an integral part. of the side frame. This foot is provided with openings and is secured to the side channel 23 by any suitable means, such as rivets 57.

From a study of the above construction, it will be noted that the side frame of the car; including the chords and the vertical stakes,

' is disposed inwardly of the side sheets of the car, whereby these parts are brought in direct cont-act with'the material carried in the car.

It will readily appear that this increases the capacity of the car to a considerable extent, as it positions the side sheets in the maximum outer plane of the side frame and makes for an internal dimension for thelading compartment substantially equal to vthat of the maximum width of. the standard A. R. A. cars. This of course, brings the side stakes and frame parts in direct contact with the lading, but no disadvantage flows from this arrangement, due to the fact 'thatthe side frame is formed of non-corrosive-steel, and with the additional characteristic that most of the usual joints and rivets between the frame parts are eliminated. In addition, it

will be noted that the construction set forth provides sloping shedding surfaces both at r the top and bottom, whereby all ledges or other projecting parts, such as might impede the discharge of lading, are eliminated.

In addition to the above characteristics,

the necessary strength is provided throughout the entire construction and all of the various parts are designedin highly practical form making for ease and cheapness of construction and ease of assembly.

It will readily appear that the assembly of a car will merely involve the attachment of the endand side channels, the attachment of the side frames, and then the attachment of the four corner stakes, and finally the positioning and attachment of the horizontal braces 21 with their webs 43. When these parts have been assembled, the car is all ready Y 1. In a device of the character described, a center sill formed as a single integral castto receive the sloping floor parts and the necessary side sheets.

' Whereas the present illustration discloses a form of the invention especially adapted for the construction of hopper cars, it will readily appear that the invention is to be broadly construed and is to include all modicfied constructions, such as will readily appear to one skilled in the art and as fall within the scope of the appended claims;

We claim:

ing and having end portions of substantially box-like beam construction and an intermediate portion of substantially inverted V cross section, providing shedding surfaces.

2. In a center sill of the character described having end portions of substantially box like beam construction with integrally formed body bolsters extending transversely thereof, said center sill having intermediate portions providing angular shedding surfaces.

, y 3. In a car of the character described, the

combination of a single integral side wall frame and side sheets attached to said frame 4 in the plane of the outer surface thereof, said I *ter sill underlying the ladin frame being constructed to accommodate side sheets extending from the outer of said frame to the inner plane of said rame at the upper locations thereof, and side sheets therefor.

' 4. A car construction comprising in combination, integrally formed center sill and body bolsters, a pair of single and integrally August, 1929.

an integrally formed side wall frame comprising an upper chord and a lower chord and vertical stakes and supporting feet, one at each end of said frame.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 7th day of HARRY s. HART. DAVID HINDAHL.

lane I formed side wall frames supported on said 1 ing means extending transversely of and secured to said center sill throughout the intermediate portion thereof and having its end secured to said unitary side wall frames.

6. In a device of the character described,

formed wit sloping walls 

